'Music Expo' strikes chord for young, old

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

"American Idol" finalist Jasmine Trias is among the entertainers this weekend at the Hawai'i Music Expo organized by her former voice coach William Daquioag, right, to promote music awareness and education. HAWAII MUSIC EXPO 5-9 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall $5 general, $3 children 4-12 671-2547 Featuring: karaoke contest, autograph sessions, concerts, clinics and demonstrations on many aspects of music technology, services and opportunities

You can do all of the above, and more, at the first Hawai'i Music Expo, unfolding today through Sunday at Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.

The event promotes music awareness, enabling music students or fans to tune in to many facets of the business. And with diminishing support for arts programs in public schools, the expo also augments music education.

"We have almost 50 entertainers and groups performing at the expo," said William Daquioag, a voice teacher when he's not performing as a member of the Society of Seven Las Vegas. He is the prime mover behind the three-day Hawai'i Music Expo, and has assembled a roster of troupers who will perform, answer questions or shed light on some facet of their craft.

"The reason I'm doing this is to try to save, support and restore the music programs that are in jeopardy in public schools," said Daquioag. "Because of lack of funding, with support going to the No Child Left Behind program, a lot of the arts and music education programs in schools are being cut back. Many music teachers are concerned; in some schools, there are not enough funds to buy instruments. It's time to raise awareness and help."

"It's definitely a neat idea," said Jasmine Trias, third-place finisher in last year's "American Idol" competition and tentatively scheduled to take part in a Saturday session. "An event like this really helps stimulate the mind; it's particularly important if music programs are cut down in schools. Music does help with critical thinking skills, right alongside math.

"In school, I took every single music class available; music is my life, my passion. So an expo opens another window," she said.

And the timing couldn't be better.

"March is Music in Our Schools Month, an observance by the National Association for Music Education, and the expo is open not only to students, but teachers or others ... (involved in or interested in) music," said Keith Fukumoto, a 25-year veteran in music education and music director of Leilehua High School.

Daquioag, who was Trias' voice coach in her pre-"Idol" training, has acquired community and school backing and is assembling a variety of performances, information sessions, contests, clinics, demonstrations and other music-oriented activities.

Vendors will showcase a variety of products and services available in the community.

Jamie Kim, a 16-year-old Leilehua High School junior who is in the senior symphonic band, will check out the expo to shed light on potential job prospects once she's out of school. "I play alto sax in the band, and I also sing, and I think the expo is a great opportunity for me to get to know things outside of the school band," she said. "Especially professional opportunities."

Kim also is a member of the Mililani Marching Band, through cross-school arrangements, because Leilehua doesn't have a marching unit. Ultimately, though, Kim aspires to be a band teacher.

Organizer Daquioag is no stranger to the music community. He conducts a private music school where he and his staff offer music training. Previously, he taught in several public schools, from elementary to high school. For 20 years, he has been an entertainer, now with the Society of Seven Las Vegas and previously with The Krush.

"Very few of us earn a living playing and teaching music, but many of us include music as an important part of our lives," he said.

Thus, he said, the expo would help anyone — young, old, professional, amateur, those who teach, those who take lessons — further explore and share music.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067, or fax 525-8055.

PERFORMANCES
Subject to change

Today

Stage 1

• 5:30 p.m. — Jake Shimabukuro
• 6:30 p.m. — Jordan Segundo
• 7:30 p.m. — Kenny Endo taiko ensemble
• 8 p.m. — Melveen Leed

Stage 2

• 6 p.m. — The Performing Artist Academy
• 7 p.m. — Broadway Babies
• 8:30 p.m. — U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Rock Band

Saturday

Stage 1

• 10:30 a.m. — Lono
• 11:30 a.m. — Chris Kamaka and Baba Alimoot
• 12:30 p.m. — Gregg Hammer
• 1:30 p.m. — Jordan Segundo
• 2:30 p.m. — Ho'okena
• 3:30 p.m. — Auntie Genoa Keawe
• 4:30 p.m. — Oceanside Band
• 5:30 p.m. — Courtney New
• 6:30 p.m. — TOA
• 7:30 p.m. — Buckz Boyz
• 8:30 p.m. — Jesse and The New Dawn

Stage 2

• 11 a.m. — Waimalu Elementary School chorus
• Noon — Kawananakoa Middle School orchestra
• 1 p.m. — St. Joseph School chorus
• 2 p.m. — Sugah Daddy
• 3 p.m. — Leilehua High School band and chorus
• 4 p.m. — Kaiser High School band
• 5 p.m. — Jasmine Trias
• 6 p.m. — U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Stage Band
• 7 p.m. — Na Leo Lani Chorus
• 8 p.m. — HEARTS

Sunday

Stage 1

• 10:30 a.m. — The Performing Artist Academy
• 11:30 a.m. — Society of Seven Las Vegas
• 12:30 p.m. — Ka'ala Boys
• 1:30 p.m. — Maryknoll School rock band
• 2:30 p.m. — Ten Feet
• 3:30 p.m. — Kailailoa
• 4:30 p.m. — Hawai'i Pacific University jazz band

Stage 2

• 11a.m. — Waipahu High School chorus
• Noon — Terry Brown 'Ukulele Studio
• 1 p.m. — Wahiawa Middle School Lancer jazz band
• 2 p.m. — United Church of Christ Judd Street handbell ensemble
• 3 p.m — Honolulu Boy Choir
• 4 p.m. — Chuck James drum ensemble

CLINICS (Pikake Room)

Today

• 6 p.m. — Kapi'olani Community College Synthesizer Ensemble
• 7 p.m. — To be announced
• 8 p.m. — Jordan Segundo in a Q&A session
• Saturday — Pikake Room
• 10:30 a.m. — 2M
• 11:30 a.m. — Karaoke confidence, with William Daquioag
• 12:30 p.m. — Children's song and music, with Leon and Malia
• 1:30 p.m. — 'Ukulele making, with Chris Kamaka
• 2:30 p.m. — Jordan Segundo, Q&A
• 3:30 p.m. — Brittni Paiva
• 4:30 p.m. — The Music Business, with Nancy Bernal, Marlene Baldueza, Elan Markos
• 5:30 p.m. — Jasmine Trias, Q&A (tentative)
• 6:30 p.m. — Sahra Indio
• 7:30 p.m. — Music by Sofra
• Sunday — Pikake Room
• 10:30 a.m. — To be announced
• 11:30 a.m. — To be announced
• 12:30 p.m. — Drum techniques, with Chuck James
• 1:30 p.m. — 'Ukulele techniques, with Terry Brown
• 2:30 p.m. — Music and the Brain, with Dr. Arthur Harvey
• 3 p.m. — Classical music, by Manoa Strings Quartet
• 4 p.m. — Honolulu Boy Choir lecture, by Kaimi Pelekai